A newsstand on Penn Street changes hands

Uptown News owner Erric Adams in his new store on Penn Street. Behind him are lots of scratch-off lottery tickets.

Erric N. Adams, 66, of Shillington makes a living running newsstands, a throwback to an earlier time.

In June, Adams purchased the former Nick's Newsstand storefront at 920 Penn St. from longtime owner Stewart McAlvage.

After running the business for about 30 years, McAlvage retired.

Adams already had retired from running corner grocery stores throughout the city. In 2008, he had an opportunity to sell the stores to larger chain stores.

Adams said he wasn't quite ready to stop being a business owner and started in the business of newsstands. He owns one in Harrisburg and one in Philadelphia.

When the newsstand on Penn Street became available, Adams jumped at the opportunity.

Only the business is owned by Adams. The building is owned by TEH Management, LLC, Reading.

The new store is appropriately named Uptown News.

The storefront was completely renovated by the building's owner prior to Adams reopening it inJuly.

"Business started slow at first," Adams said. "But every day I see a new face as more and more people are finding out about us."

Adams added a coffee island, tables and more tobacco, as well as Sunday hours. The newsstand had not been opened on a Sunday for at least the past 10 years.

"I have people coming here from different parts of town," he said. "They find it a convenient stop in the morning to pick up the newspaper, get a cup of coffee and play the lottery. The lottery is a really big deal for a lot of customers."

Adams sees so much potential in the uptown location that he already has his sights on downtown and midtown locations.

Plans are to open another newsstand at Fourth and Penn streets in a storefront owned by TEH Management. Adams would like to see the store opened by March or April.

Adams said he has had a conversation with the developers of DoubleTree by Hilton hotel being built across from Santander Arena on Penn Street.

Adams would like to operate a newsstand in the lobby of the hotel. So far, the idea has only gotten as far as the initial conversation.

"I am focused on whatever works, and right now there is a need for these newsstands," Adams said. "I always have my eye open for opportunity."

Because most people buy multiple items in addition to a newspaper, Adams said, the average customer spends between $20 to $25 at the newsstand.

Adams has worked with the city to get designated parking in front of Uptown News.

"That way people can stop in here quickly without having to worry about getting a ticket," he said. "This is setting a trend for people to come in here and get on their way."